An alarming number of hunters fall from tree stands each season. Here's how to stay safe while hunting from above.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: N/A
Here's How:
- Never use a stand if you doubt its safety. Whether or not it's sturdy isn't the only question - if you doubt its safety, you'll be nervous and unlikely to enjoy yourself.
- Use extreme care. It's your life, be careful with it! Be more cautious than you think is necessary, because redundancy can save lives (i.e. using two chains instead of one on a hang-on type stand).
- Avoid leaning. Many self-climbing stands can flip to the side if weight is unevenly distributed. Excessive leaning can also cause other types of stands to slip or fall, and makes it easier for you to lose your balance.
- Inspect any stand before using it. Whether it's yours or not, take a good look every time you use a stand. Metal fatigue, wood rot, and poor construction can all cause a stand to fail.
- Don't trust your life to fabric straps. Some models of hang-on stands use straps similar to seat belt material to secure them to the tree. I advise you to back this up with a sturdy chain before trusting them with your weight.
- Replace s-hooks with "quick-links." These are chain links that screw shut upon themselves, and they are much more trustworthy than s-hooks, which can straighten out and dump you from a hang-on stand.
- Don't go any higher than you're comfortable being. You're out there to enjoy yourself, not to make yourself miserable. Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise; the biggest buck I've ever seen was killed by a guy on a six-foot ladder stand.
- Never climb, or use a stand on, a dead tree.
- Take the time to get familiar with any stand before using it. Learn its strengths and weaknesses and keep them in mind while using it.
Tips:
- When using a safety belt or harness, slide the end that's attached to the tree up until there's almost no slack. This will make any fall shorter, and will help prevent injuries.
- Never fall out of a tree. ;-)
